Opportunity at
GoCardlessAssociate Legal Counsel
GoCardless is seeking an Associate Legal Counsel with 5 to 8 years of post-qualification experience to join their legal team and advise UK-based business units. Candidates…
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About This Role
GoCardless is seeking an Associate Legal Counsel with 5 to 8 years of post-qualification experience to join their legal team and advise UK-based business units. Candidates with more senior experience may be considered for a Senior Legal Counsel title. GoCardless functions as a global leader in bank payments, offering a platform that processes billions annually across numerous countries without traditional payment friction. In this position, you will collaborate closely with…
Job Description
GoCardless is seeking an Associate Legal Counsel with 5 to 8 years of post-qualification experience to join their legal team and advise UK-based business units. Candidates with more senior experience may be considered for a Senior Legal Counsel title. GoCardless functions as a global leader in bank payments, offering a platform that processes billions annually across numerous countries without traditional payment friction. In this position, you will collaborate closely with various commercial teams, handling diverse legal matters rather than focusing on isolated legal tasks.
This role centers on negotiating strategic partnership deals, supporting go-to-market teams on high-value agreements, managing external legal counsel, and reviewing customer and supplier contracts. The ideal candidate will combine commercial pragmatism with strong communication skills, an affinity for technology, and a proactive mindset focused on operational efficiency and process automation. The position requires UK qualification and offers the opportunity to contribute to departmental projects and develop self-help playbooks for the broader business.
Responsibilities
- Support and advise the Partner team while negotiating strategic partnerships
- Assist UK go-to-market teams on high-value and strategic deals
- Review and negotiate commercial contracts for customers, suppliers, and partners with a pragmatic and commercial approach
- Supervise less junior lawyers during contract negotiations and file management
- Instruct and oversee external legal counsel
- Collaborate with management on strategic initiatives and upcoming product launches or template rollouts
- Develop and maintain self-help tools, playbooks, and guides for the wider organization
- Drive process improvements for high-volume workflows, including contracting automation and management systems
Requirements
- Hold a UK professional qualification as a lawyer
- Possess 5 to 8 years of post-qualification experience
- Demonstrate experience negotiating complex agreements with sophisticated counterparties
- Show experience reviewing marketing materials in compliance with applicable regulations
- Exhibit strong communication skills capable of translating complex legal language into accessible English
Qualifications
- Background in private practice or in-house legal work within a fast-paced technology or similar industry environment
- Familiarity with Financial Conduct Authority requirements or payment services regulations
- Experience managing intellectual property issues
- Familiarity with selling and supporting software-as-a-service solutions
- Ability to explain what an application programming interface is
Core Skills
Benefits
- Dedicated wellbeing support and medical cover
- Work away scheme allowing up to 90 days of work outside your country of residence within a 12-month period
- Adaptive working arrangements for schedule flexibility around personal lifestyles
- Parental leave options
- Annual learning budget for personal professional development
- Generous holiday allowance
- Three annual volunteer days
- Four company-wide wellness days known as GC Fridays
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers are based only on the employer’s listing; where it doesn’t say, neither do we.
What is the salary range for the Associate Legal Counsel position?
The base salary ranges from £64,000 to £96,000 per year, determined by factors such as experience level, interview assessments, internal parity, and market data.
What qualifications are required to apply?
Applicants must be qualified in the UK and possess 5 to 8 years of post-qualification experience.
Is remote work permitted for this role?
The source posting does not specify whether the role is remote, hybrid, or entirely office-based, though it does mention an adaptive working policy and a work away scheme for up to 90 days.
Sample Interview Questions
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